So much of hiring is about building long-term relationships and really taking the time to understand candidates’ needs. That’s what enables those recruiting to really add value by making the ideal hire. But how to build those relationships? Here are four key strategies:
Listen
Listening is the most important thing a hiring manager can do. Being attentive to what candidates are telling you goes beyond asking the right questions; when you’ve asked the question, stop talking and listen carefully both to what they say and to what they don’t say. This is key to understanding their needs.
Remember, candidates can tell through your actions how well you’ve listened to them.
Share
Don’t let the flow of information be all one way, or your candidates may feel as if they’re being grilled. Opening up a bit yourself, especially about a common interest, will help create that bond. For example, if you find out they have a dog, and you have a dog too, don’t hesitate to talk about it.
Communicate
Just as most people don’t want to date a poor communicator, they don’t want to work with one either. How do you feel about people who ignore your calls or emails?
However busy you get, make it a priority to communicate often and clearly with your candidates. It can be as simple as letting them know that you’ve received their message and will get back to them tomorrow. This makes a huge difference when it comes to building trust and being seen as reliable.
Use Video
Scheduling face-to-face time has always been hard, but now there are video solutions. Don’t hesitate to use them. Video may not be the same as meeting up in person, but it’s much more helpful in creating bonds than a phone call or email.